Harris, a Democrat, had 54 percent of the votes in early returns. She faced four Republicans, each of whom received less than 14 percent in early returns.

Whoever among the four finishes second will face Harris.

One Republican challenger, former longtime state legislator Phil Wyman, responded to the recent scandals involving three Democratic state senators by proposing public executions for lawmakers found guilty of endangering others.

That prompted one of his GOP opponents, former San Diego deputy city attorney David King, to call for Wyman to withdraw.

Also running as Republicans were retired prosecutor Ronald Gold and attorney John Haggerty.